Final 12 for teens in film competition

A teenager from Wingrave has made it to the final twelve in the UK’s biggest short film competition.

Gabriel Steele, 17, of The Dean, together with his best friend Jamie Coe, 16, from Winslow, were up against 570 entrants in the Reed Short Film Competition.

Now their film, The Question, could win one of the four prizes on offer.

Gabriel said: “We have always said we would not get anxious or nervous about the competition. No matter what happens awe are just so happy to have got this far.

“Even if we do not win, this has been a great experience for us and a great chance to network and meet other people in the industry.”

The boys have been friends since Primary school with their passion for films getting stronger over the years,

Jamie said: “We are up against professional film makers in this competition, so we are thrilled to have made it through to the last 12. The top prize is £10,000 which would be great but, just as important to us is the chance to have mentors from amongst some of the top film directors and producers in the country.”

Gabriel, who attends St Henry Floyd Grammar School in Aylesbury, and Jamie, who has started an apprenticeship, first got into filming in primary school and raised funds for equipment through acting and Jamie set up an iPhone repair business.

They now have four short films under their belts.

Gabriel added: “We started when we were 12 or 13, recording films with camcorders and mobile phones, and have been improving our skills ever since. We want to continue making films and establish ourselves as a company.”

The awards night is on Wednesday, April 22. To see The Question and to vote for the People’s Choice Award, visit: www.reed.co.uk/film